Tara Murray
The Calder Cannons started their Coates Talent League Girls season with a win against the Sandringham Dragons.
After having byes the first two rounds, the Cannons started their season on their home deck at Highgate on Saturday morning.
It wasn’t the easiest conditions for the two sides in the first half with rain falling throughout.
The Cannons handled the conditions the better and kicked the only goal for the first quarter, leading by eight points at the first break.
They were able to extend the lead to 14 points at half time, with the Dragons failing to score in the first half.
The rain started to disappear and the Dragons were finally able to hit the scoreboard in the third quarter.
The Dragons kicked three goals for the term, to take a two point lead into the last quarter.
Cannons captain Amy Trindade was moved forward in the last quarter and it proved to be the match winning move.
She kicked her first goal in the seventh minute to give her side the lead back and then marked and converted in the 12th minute to increase the margin to 11 points.
That would be the final margin with the Cannons winning, 4.7 (31)-3.3 (21).
Kayley Kavanagh had 28 disposals for the Cannons, while Bridie Collings had 26 and Kayla Forbes had 25 possessions.
Trindade was named the Cannons best, along with Jayla Rutley, Collings and Amy Gaylor.
A late comeback from the Cannons boys side fell short, with the Dragons getting up in their match.
The Dragons got out to an early lead, kicking the only three goals in the first quarter.
The Cannons were able to hit the scoreboard in the second quarter, but didn’t make the most of their opportunities, kicking 2.6.
The Dragons margin increased in the third quarter, with the visitors leading by 25 points at the last break.
The game opened up in the last quarter, with nine goals between the two teams. Despite winning the quarter, six goals to three, the Cannons fell short, losing 11.9 (75)-10.9 (69).
Nash King, who was named the Cannons best, had 23 disposals, Hugo Garcia had 19 possessions.
Patrick Said and Jordan Croft were among the other standouts for the Cannons. Amin Naim kicked three goals.
Meanwhile, it was a good weekend for the Northern Knights.
The Knights boys team snuck home against the Murray Bushrangers, winning 13.9 (87)-12.8 (80).
The girls side had a big win, beating the Bushrangers, 10.10 (70)-5.1 (31).
